Atheism IS a Religion.

[jayjaykirby]

I wish this could just be a statement instead of a debate, but here's the skinny on this mini-rant.

THIS IS NOT A DEBATE ON WHAT YOUR RELIGION IS. This is a debate on whether or not Atheism IS a religion.

This is not directed at anyone who believes something and keeps it private. This is directed at people who flame others or try to convert others or who think they're better because they think they have the right idea.

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ATHEISM IS A RELIGION.

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What is religion?

Religion [rəˈlidʒən] noun
A particular system of belief or worship.
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What is Atheism?

Atheism [ˈeɪθiˌɪzəm] noun
The doctrine or belief that there is no God.
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You see that, there?

BELIEF.

Now, I'm going to compare it to Christianity, because that always seems to be the target of angry atheists.

~ Christians believe that there is an almighty force to the creation of the universe.

~ Atheists believe that some scientific happening created the universe.

~ Christians believe that there will be an afterlife.

~ Atheists believe that there will simply be nothing after death.

~ Christians shun atheists for disbelieving their way of life.

~ Atheists shun Christians for disbelieving "scientific fact".


NOW, HERE'S A NEWSFLASH:

SCIENTIFIC THEORIES ABOUT THE CREATION OF THE UNIVERSE AND THE AFTERLIFE ARE NOT FACTS.
THEY ARE THEORIES.


NO ONE knows what happens after the body dies. No one! Not even people who've died--because it only happened for a minute or two!

NO ONE knows what happened at the beginning of time! We can only speculate!


Now, I'm not religious. That means I believe in nothing.

"Oh, that makes you an Atheist!"

NO

It means I am religion-less! I don't believe in anything, because I choose to hold my opinions until my time comes!

Atheists: Guess what? Your opinions are NOT SCIENTIFIC FACTS. You can't bash Christians because they believe in something because you're believing in something, too!

You believe that the universe was borne of a non-extraordinary force, and that it's nothing after death.

But since you don't KNOW it and can't PROVE it, it's a belief, NOT a fact.

So, to all you Atheists out there who think that you're hot shit for being more "intellectual", I have news for you: It could very well be that the Christians were right all along.

Because you can't prove your theories, so that makes them BELIEFS, which means you're part of a religion, just like them!

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If you're Atheist and you think you're better than people who are religious, tell me why you think so.

Tell me why you think your GENERALLY-ACCEPTED, STRUCTURED BELIEF SYSTEM is not a religion.

Tell me. Please.


Because dipshits of any religion who think they're better than anyone else are just that: Dipshits.

People are allowed to believe whatever they want. Just quit flaunting around, thinking that you're smarter for it. Beliefs aren't about being smart. They're about private thoughts and opinions.

i actually have to agree with you:D for the most part anyway

but as for this:

Atheists shun Christians for disbelieving "scientific fact".

this is wrong. i am a christain. i accept science,not not all of it. most have this notion that if you believe in god. you deny science and that evolution is science as a whole. this is in essence ignorance.

I mean, there is little debate here. What do atheist worship? Theoretically, nothing. If they do worship a substitute god (i.e. : science), then they're mistaken.

you say that as if all religion focus on worship. you're wrong. a religion is a set of beliefs and practices. most people think those in religion are ignorant mindless hicks, not saying you do.

 

[Xaixis]

There are countless religions of which there is no "head" office.  There are several forms of Christianity that do not look higher than the local version of a priest.  There are several tribal religions that do count, where even the witch doctors (for lack of a better uniform word?) aren't truly the top deal, just merely the most likely practitioner of advice giving and such.

Many religions, true, have a hierarchy.  From Pope to bishop to priest to alter boy, all the way down, with everything in between.  It's set.  But many religions aren't set in such an order, and some forms of Buddhism don't see the Dali Llama as the head - some confuse Tibetan beliefs and order for the entirety of the religion and so on.  Other religions practice no head but your own, on your shoulders.

And believe it or not, some DO hold an Atheistic belief as a worldly guide through life.  Though extremist are not everywhere, so screw 'em.

Meh. That wasn't exactly my hard piece of evidence but good point.

What I WAS aiming at was that there is NO-ONE related to the atheist belief, that has some sort of recognition with the religion.

Even at that that point is soft, that I know, but meh, I'm tired. And the topic can go either way.

 

[RupertPudgington]

Definition of terms:
According to American Heritage dictionary Atheism is:
1.Disbelief in or denial of the existence of God or gods.
American Heritage Dictionary defines Religion as:
1. a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs. 
2. a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the Buddhist religion. 

To be considered an atheist one must reject the idea that there is a god. That is the only criteria. Look at the definiton for religion. None of those things apply to atheism. Atheism is not a set of beliefs.. it is one belief. It does not  involve ritual observance. There are no agreed upon set of practices or  moral guidelines, as ideas of right and wrong differ drasticaly from one atheist to another.
  Typically, the claim that atheism is a religion is one made by religous people to counter many atheists' view that religon is detrimental to society. "How can you criticize religon? Atheism is a religon too!"
  But, when has logic ever convinced a fundamentalist?

 

[FlippyD]

How many fucking times do we have to pull out the "definition" of atheism and religion already?

 

[Incognitus]

How many fucking times do we have to pull out the "definition" of atheism and religion already?

God only knows. ;P

 

[Venetia]

But, when has logic ever convinced a fundamentalist?

Special hint:

I'm not a fundamentalist, sweetie muffin!

Anyway I'm sick of seeing this topic pop up now and no one got the point I was trying to make (see: it's not about atheism as much as it is about PUSHY ASSHOLES) so LOCK! :D